So far 17 candidates have registered for Pickering council races

2014 Election - Pickering

There are now five names registered for that race -- Laurissa Hraiki, Gino Sgovio, Malcolm Schell, Shaheen Butt and Nick Nikopoulos.

It’s a popular place to throw a hat in the ring, because the incumbent won’t be in the running.

Current Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles recently filed to run for Ward 3 Regional councillor, facing off against incumbent Councillor Peter Rodrigues.

There is now a total of 17 candidates vying for Pickering council seats.

It’s still a three-way race for the mayor’s chair, with incumbent Dave Ryan squaring off against Edoh Apaloo and Maurice Brenner.

Mr. Brenner is no stranger to local politics -- the former City and Regional councillor is taking his second shot at the mayoralty after losing to Mayor Ryan in 2010 by about 1,700 votes.

The race for the Ward 1 Regional councillor spot includes incumbent Councillor Jennifer O’Connell as well as Myrna Picotte and Nick Tsetsakos.

Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean is looking to hold onto his seat and is so far the only one registered in that race, while Deborah Bissett is the only candidate seeking the City councillor Ward 1 seat.

The race for City councilor Ward 2 is currently between Ian Cumming and Cody Morrison.

The first ever candidate for Durham’s regional chairman seat filed nomination papers on March 7.

Whitby resident Michael Deegan, 35, is a denturist with Deegan Denture Clinics, a third- and fourth-generation family business with clinics in Oshawa, Ajax and Whitby.

Pickering Ward 1 City Councillor Kevin Ashe and Ward 2 City Councillor Doug Dickerson are the only incumbents who haven’t indicated whether they will seek re-election.

Pickering’s school board trustee races are off to a slower start.

Incumbent Chris Braney will run against Paul Crawford and Corey Besso for the public board seat, while incumbent Jim McCafferty is looking to hold onto his seat on the Catholic board.